An introduction to philosophy through a consideration of such topics as the person, human values, freedom, morality, knowledge, death, the meaning of life, God, and the nature and destiny of human existence. Students come to understand that philosophy asks the most fundamental questions about ourselves, the world, and the relationship between the two. The method of philosophical thinking and critical reflection will be stressed.

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PHL241Philosophy of the Person

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A study of the material and spiritual nature of the human: knowledge, love, freedom as manifesting human meaning, self-identity and self-consciousness, the nature and dignity of the person, death and immortality.

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PHL304Aquinas and Thomism

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An examination of the thought of St. Thomas in light of two opposed world-views prevalent in his day: the Extreme Aristotelians and the Augustinian Platonists. The philosophical method, and the role St. Thomas assigns to philosophy in the pursuit of truth will be considered, as well as a few basic problems of God, creation, human nature, knowledge, and morality. Recent developments in Thomism will be discussed.

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PHL305Aesthetics

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An examination of theories regarding the valuable/beautiful in our perceptual experience of both nature and works of fine art: the nature of the aesthetic, the different aesthetics which are characteristic of different cultures, societies, and individuals; the nature of art; the importance of anything?s being classified as art; the functions of the arts in society; the nature of artistic creation; the non-artist?s understanding of, response to, and evaluation of works of art.

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PHL306Greek Philosophy

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An examination of the views of the three major ancient Western philosophers: Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Pre-Socratic thinkers such as Parmenides, Anaxagoras, and Anaximenes may also be considered. Students should be prepared to extract and consider the philosophical arguments in the texts of these thinkers. The course may also include reading and consideration of some of the secondary literature in this area.

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PHL308Early Modern Philosophy

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An examination of the period in philosophy from the publication of Descartes? Meditations in 1641, to the publication of the second edition of Kant?s Critique of Pure Reason in 1787. Philosophers in this period were examining the epistemological implications of the "new science,"as formulated by such figures as Galileo, Newton, and Kepler. The work of this period paved the way for the Western analytic tradition in the 20th century, and continues to influence philosophers today.

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PHL320Contemporary Ethical Theory

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A more philosophically advanced, sophisticated, and in-depth treatment of moral theory and specific ethical questions. Possible topics include: contemporary utilitarianism, contemporary Kantian ethics, virtue theory, the social contract theory of morality, recent feminist critiques of traditional moral theory, the nature of moral or practical reasons and their relation to motivation, the justification of morality, and moral psychology. Students are strongly encouraged to take PHL 201 prior to PHL 320.